Can A General Dentist Do Cosmetic Dentistry?

A few decades ago, there were not many dental fields as there are now. When you want some dental work done, knowing the difference between a cosmetic dentist, a general dentist, and a prosthodontist is essential. You can choose which type of dental doctor you want to go to based on your oral needs.

In a nutshell, if you have tooth pain, you would see a general dentist, but if you want to beautify your smile, you would need to go to a cosmetic dentist.

But can a general dentist also do the job of a cosmetic dentist? Let us find the answer to this question and understand the difference between different dentistry fields.

What Is the Role Of A General Dentist?

Teeth issues like pain, discomfort, and oral hygiene are the primary department of a general dentist.

• Generally, dentists would perform restorative procedures such as tooth extractions, fillings, and root canal work.
• Some general dentists can also solve gum diseases such as gingivitis (gum inflammation) or more severe periodontitis.
• You should go to general dentists for preventive care, such as professional cleanings, routine dental exams, and oral cancer screening.
• Some general dentists also provide fluoride treatment, dental sealants, and mouthguards.
• Some general dentists also perform teeth whitening, a cosmetic treatment.

What Is the Role Of A Cosmetic Dentist?

Cosmetic dentistry is primarily concerned with the appearance of your teeth, gum, or bite.

• This branch of dentistry deals with enhancing your smile in terms of the color, shape, size, alignment of teeth, and overall how your smile appears.
• Some of the procedures under this dentistry include veneers, teeth whitening, composite bindings, inlays, and tooth restorations.

Training Imparted to General Dentists Vs. Cosmetic Dentists

Both cosmetic and general dentists undergo the same dental training and must have the necessary degrees and licenses.

• Both finish a doctoral degree, either a doctor of dental medicine or dental surgery.
• Cosmetic dentists then participate in accredited programs that impart specialized training in cosmetic dentistry. They also complete a postgraduate aesthetic, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry program.
• Prosthodontics get additional training to handle facial and dental problems, like correcting the jaw structure. Apart from dental school, prosthodontics finish at least three additional years of advanced education.

Can A General Dentist Also Do Cosmetic Dentistry?

In short, the answer is yes. There are many areas where the line between general and cosmetic dentists needs to be clarified. Here are some examples where a general dentist is also doing the work of a cosmetic dentist:

• Dental veneers fall under beautifying procedures as they improve your smile by masking stained or cracked teeth. But general dentists also consider it a restorative procedure as they protect the tooth’s surface from damage.
• Resin is used in tooth bonding, which is again cosmetic, but the same resin can be used to repair a decayed tooth and fill the cavity.
• You can enhance your appearance with dentures as they help fill in the gaps in your mouth, but at the same time, they also address issues with biting and difficulties with slurred speech. So, they can also come under general dentistry.
• Dental bridges help you fix your smile by replacing missing teeth simultaneously, improving and enabling biting functions, and preventing other teeth from shifting from their place. So it can be considered restorative.
• General and cosmetic dentistry overlap in one more area, for example, tooth extraction. A general dentist will remove your decayed tooth, which can then be replaced with dental implants to improve your smile, which would fall under the dental solution for beautifying your appearance.

Family Dentistry Is Where General Dentistry Meets Cosmetic Dentistry

Family dentistry is a branch where the dental practitioner can address issues of all patients of all ages.

• A family dentist offers a one-stop shop for all family members and for all oral issues.
• Family dental offices primarily provide general, restorative dental services and may also be deft in providing cosmetic services such as teeth bonding, teeth whitening, crowns, and bridges.

If you suspect a dental health problem, you will visit a general dentist, whereas if you are looking to beautify your smile, you will seek the services of a cosmetic dentist. Both general and cosmetic dentists have the necessary skills to perform complicated dental procedures.